# Japan’s governing party yesterday elected former Economic Security minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her likely to become the country’s first female prime minister. She is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated Liberal Democratic Party. Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses. She is likely to be Japan’s next prime minister as the party remains by far the largest in the lower house, which determines the national leader, and because opposition groups are highly splintered.
Japan ruling party picks new leader, likely to become country’s first female prime minister